Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.
MASSAPEQUA PARK, NEW YORK: New shocking details have begun to emerge after the arrest of Gilgo Beach serial killing suspect Rex Heuermann. The 59-year-old was taken into custody by cops on Thursday, July 13, before being brought into court a day later. However, he has chosen to plead not guilty to all six charges — three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of second-degree murder — pressed against him, claiming his innocence.
Rex’s alleged victims were Amber Costello, Melissa Barthelemy, and Megan Waterman, whose lives were cut short over a decade ago. After his arrest, Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison reportedly said, "I would, first and foremost, like to offer my deepest condolences to the family members of Amber Costello, Melissa Barthelemy, and Megan Waterman. Rex Heuermann is a demon that walks among us. A predator that ruined families." It seems Rex is not the only one with an alleged criminal link. As it turns out, his brother, Craig Heuermann, also reportedly had a violent past.
Who is Craig Heuermann?
Craig Heuermann is the younger brother of Rex. The now-57-year-old was responsible for the 1988 killing of a police captain while "coked up," as per the New York Post. He was 22 years old when he dangerously hit the central median of a local highway, which resulted in the death of the 51-year-old city Housing Authority police Captain, Winnion Buskey. Craig also reportedly suffered a non-fatal injury and got admitted to a hospital before being arrested for the accident.
Rex's brother apparently pled guilty to criminally negligent homicide and driving in a state of intoxication. Judge Frank Rossetti said at the time, "The cause of this accident was the negligent driving by an intoxicated driver. The evidence showed Mr. Heuermann had a blood alcohol level of .20, twice the legal limit … and a blood cocaine level of .05 milligrams." The judge also asserted, "Obviously, this was a man who should not have been driving," before sentencing him to three-year in prison. Craig was released on parole in 1990.
'Our family has suffered every day'
The detention of Rex has been lauded by the devastated families of the victims as the case previously went cold to lack of evidence. Lynn Barthelemy, the mother of Melissa, stated, "I’d like him to suffer at the hands of other inmates. Let him receive what the girls received. Death is too good for him. It's too easy," before mentioning, "Our family has suffered every day," to NBC News. Sherre Gilbert, sister of Shannan, reportedly expressed, "I am overwhelmed but relieved that they finally caught him. It’s been a long time coming and I never gave up hope that one day justice would be served. The suspect (Rex) deserves to rot in prison for the rest of his life. He destroyed many lives so while it won’t bring our loved ones back, it does help that one less monster is off the streets and he can’t ever hurt anyone else!"
